2009-06-29

Weaning from wearing down to sleep

As I mentioned in a previous post, my secret weapon of "nursing" has always been wearing DS down to sleep (nap) in a sling. Because DS has a very intense character, catnapping and sleep deprivation is always my concern. But swinging him with the sling can wind him down and make his wild body calm, and swaddling him in that sling while laying it in the bed with him (when he's about to fall asleep) provides the sense of security which in turn ensures that his catnaps are replaced by more restorative one-hour, seventy-five- or even ninety-minutes naps.

In recent weeks, some important things have happened. Because DS has begun to feel the semi-upright position that I have been putting him into the sling too confining (it is not easy to wear him down if he is being carried in other positions, such as the snuggle hold, because the change of body positions is considerable which easily wakes him up), I feel that perhaps it's time to wean him (at least partially) from the sling when nap time comes.

So after bringing him to the bedroom, singing "ABCD" or "twinkle twinkle little star", reading a book or two to him, and reminding him that it's time to sleep (the intervals between his windows of falling asleep, after first waking up in the morning, are about 3, 3.5 and 5 hours respectively), I put him directly into the sling in a cradle hold position (with his legs leaned out, so the sling essentially just becomes a wrap around his waist), then immediately lay him down awake, but stay with him.

While staying with him, I keep on singing the lullaby "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" (or just humming the melody), and gently pat his legs, arms and/or shoulders (to relax the muscles which are still tense and wiggling). Usually he will lie quietly on the bed, but still resists to close his eyes. I then massage his forehead using my thumb and index finger, and even gently cover his eyes with my palm so that he is not distracted by the pictures on the wall. He will go to sleep in no more than 10 minutes, and unless being bothered by teething or other physical problems, he can usually stay asleep for the entire nap (without my presence) until he feels "enough" ( he will stand up immediately after waken up)!

Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.

If you think that the above sounds interesting, don't forget that I have practiced laying him down for 14 months continuously- and only until recent months he does not scream when his body touches the bed (while he is awake)! The lesson I have learned is that for a high need spirited baby like DS, learning to sleep independently can only be a very gradual and supported process, but eventually s/he will attain it when the time has come.

I am now just hoping that I can transfer this learning to nights.

Related article: no cry nap solution for an intense baby

2009-06-27

DS was on the radio!

DW and I (shamefacedly) talked about parenting on RTHK Radio 2. The topics covered included: breastfeeding, babywearing, baby-led weaning, continuum parenting and social participation, discipline, etc. The program was broadcast on 26th 8:00pm: http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/radio2/89/20090626.html

2009-06-26

La Leche League newsletter

After my photo of DW's breastfeeding lying down became the cover picture of La Leche League Asia Newsletter (Vol.9 No.2 2008), I am so glad to know that my article "From Breastfeeding to Baby-led Weaning" will also be published in an coming issue of LLL Chinese newsletter. I hope I can make more contribution to the breastfeeding movement!

2009-06-24

"Modern Papas's Tips on Successful Breastfeeding" seminar



It was organized by the Hong Kong Breastfeeding Mother's Association and held in the Western District Community Centre on June 20.

Over 40 people attended the seminar, not bad! Made a nice presentation (IMHO :-). How wonderful DS was so calm sitting on my laps.

2009-06-14

On Giving Chinese Medicine

Very frustrated giving Chinese medicine to DS. The intense child just spits out the medicine even it has been mixed with honey. (To those who are not familiar with Chinese herbal medicine: the decoction [the prepared liquid] is dosed in a rice bowl [size smaller for children], not in spoons.) I HATE dropping the decoction into his cheek pocket every time - we are both emotionally exhausted!!!

Q: Why don't use syringe? You can cool down the herbal tea and inject it to his mouth by the syringe. You can buy the syringe (of course without needle version) in any local dispensary stores. Just like many children also use syringe to have the syrup.

Thanks but actually we have been using the syringe (when all other more respectable means fail)!

I guess few children's syrups will require the parents to administer 150ml (a children's rice bowl=one dose of decoction) or even a half portion of it at one time!

Tonight (just like all other nights) DS protested against the syringe hysterically, gagged heavily and hurt his mouth corner....We were both very scared.

Forgot to say, with the syringe method we at most can give ~20ml at one time (INCluding the spit-out) before we break down. It's just like a torture to every one.

In fact, even giving 2.5ml of acetaminophen will make DS mad.

2009-06-05

The Dignity of Human Beings can never be divided.



20 years after the 1989 June 4 Beijing Tiananmen Square Massacre, there were still over 150,000 people (we are proud to have been three of them) attending the Hong Kong candle night commemoration vigil demanding basic human rights in China, despite Hong Kong's being the world's most capitalist city and China's recent world's shocking economic power. The dignity of human beings can never be divided.